Do I need a website?
More businesses than ever have a website. Ownership of domain names has increased and the majority of us understand the SEO landscape better than ever before. If this isn't a damning indictment of those who don't have a website, then what is? BUT, do all businesses need a website?
The simple answer is no, not all businesses need a website but most do. There are many factors to consider and we have compiled them into this helpful article.
If you are a business owner who has been debating whether or not you need a website, then keep reading. We will share some hard-hitting statistics, common misconceptions and plenty of sage advice. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of whether or not your business needs a website.
Websites are no longer just online brochures for your business. They are now essential tools that can help you do everything from generating leads to making sales and providing customer support and information capture.
A website is a digital shopfront for your business and should be treated as such. It is a platform that can do everything from help you sell your products or services online to increase brand awareness and build customer loyalty.
In short, a website is an essential tool for businesses in the modern age and if you don't have one, then you are missing out on the opportunity to share your company story and build trust with potential and current customers.
Website Statistics
According to Statista.com the number of businesses with a website has increased from 70% in 2007 to over 83% in 2019. Over the last few years (and during the pandemic) more people have set up their own businesses and will be creating websites as a ‘shop front’.
Let's take a look at some statistics that show just how important websites have become for businesses in recent years:
- 97% of consumers go online to find local businesses (Source: BrightLocal)
- 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine (Source: Web Presence Solutions)
- 78% of people research a company online before buying from them (Source: Small Business Trends)
- 61% of consumers say they are more likely to buy from a website that is mobile-friendly (Source: Google)
As you can see, having a website is now essential for businesses that want to stay competitive and reach the widest possible audience.
Website Myths
There are many common misconceptions about websites that we often hear from business owners. Let's dispel some of these myths:
- Websites are too expensive - This is simply not true. You can have a website built for a few hundred pounds or less if you do it yourself. If you want a more bespoke website, then you will need to invest more but this is an investment that should pay for itself many times over.
- I don't have time to update a website - A website does not need to be updated daily or even weekly. Once it is built, you can add new content as and when you have the time. If you do want to keep your website fresh, then you can add a blog or news section that can be updated on a regular basis.
- I don't need a website, I have social media - Social media is a great way to connect with your target audience but it should not be used as a replacement for your website. Your website is an important platform that you own and control. Social media platforms come and go but your website will always be there as long as you continue to pay for your domain name and hosting.
As you can see, there are many misconceptions about websites that need to be dispelled. Websites are essential for businesses in the modern age and if you don't have one, then you are missing out on a great opportunity to reach your target audience.
If you're still not sure whether or not your business needs a website, then get in touch with us and we can help you make an informed decision. We are a website development agency that specialises in helping businesses to reach their online potential.
Let's also look at a couple more crucial 'website-based' questions:
What impact does Google play on my website?
Google is the most popular search engine in the world and as such, it has a huge impact on websites. According to Google themselves, they receive over 63,000 searches per second! (that’s over 538 million searches per day!)
This means that if your website is not optimised for Google search, then you could be missing out on a lot of potential traffic and enquiries. It's not just about listing your website but Google can help your business by giving you a platform with a Google Business Profile.
If you want your website to be found by potential customers, then you need to make sure that it is optimised for Google. This means ensuring that your website is mobile-friendly and that all of your content is relevant and up-to-date.
What's the point of having a website if no one can find it?
Websites are not static things; they need to be actively promoted in order for them to be successful. There are many ways to do this, such as:
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising
- Social Media Marketing
- Email Marketing etc.
If you want your website to be successful, then you need to put in the time and effort to promote it. This is an ongoing process that should be included in your marketing budget.
Do I need to invest in SEO and what does it cost?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation and it is the process of making your website more visible in Google search results. Not just Google but any rankings.
There are two types of SEO:
- On-page SEO - This refers to the optimisation of your website's content and design in order to make it more visible in searches.
- Off-page SEO -. It is an ongoing process that should be carried out by a professional SEO agency. The cost of SEO depends on many factors, such as the competitiveness of your industry, the size of your website etc.
We've written a more in-depth article about SEO and the cost which can be found here: https://legalgrowth.co.uk/news/how-much-does-seo-cost-in-the-uk
Will I lose credibility if I don't have a website?
In the modern age, businesses are expected to have a website. If you don't have one, then you could be perceived as being 'behind the times' and this could damage your credibility.
A website is an important platform that helps you to build trust with your target audience. It shows that you are serious about your business and that you are willing to invest in your online presence.
If you're still not sure whether or not your business needs a website, then get in touch with us and we can help you make an informed decision. We are a website development agency that specialises in helping businesses to reach their online potential.
How do I buy a domain name?
Domain names can be bought from a variety of providers, such as GoDaddy, 123 Reg or Namecheap. The price of a domain name varies depending on the provider but they usually start at around a few pounds per year.
When you are choosing a domain name, it's important to choose one that is relevant to your business. It may also be your email address so bare that in mind. For example, if your business is called 'ABC Law' then you may want to choose a domain name such as 'abclaw.co.uk'.
Once you have chosen and bought your domain name, you will need to set it up with hosting. This is where your website's files will be stored and it will need to be connected to your domain name in order for your website to go live.
If you're not sure how to do this, then we can help! We are a website development agency that specialises in helping businesses to reach their online potential.
How much does a website cost?
The cost of a website depends on many factors, such as the size of the website, the number of pages etc. Other factors that dictate the cost of a website are:
- Who is creating the copy
- Image sourcing
- The cost of hosting
- The cost of any additional features, such as eCommerce functionality, payment gateway integration etc.
A simple website can cost as little as a few hundred pounds but a more complex website can cost several thousand pounds. For transparency, when we build sites, we speak to client to talk about their brief, what they're looking to achieve, the functionality they want etc. More often than not, our clients want a simple site which helps them to build trust and rarely does this cost more than £500 (price correct as at Sept22). If clients want more complex site structures, or additional functionality, then we provide free quotes.
You might be interested to know that the most expensive domain name ever sold was — $872 million and was Cars.com. This was according to GoDaddy.
How do I get a personalised email address?
If you want a personalised email address, then you will need to buy a domain name. Once you have done this, you can set up your email address using Google Apps for Business or Microsoft Outlook as an example.
A personalised email address looks much more professional than a generic one and it helps to build trust with your target audience. For example, if your business is called 'ABC Law' then you may want to choose an email address such as 'info@abclaw.co.uk' or 'hello@abclaw.co.uk'.
If you're not sure how to do this, then we can help! We are a website development agency that specialises in helping businesses to reach their online potential.
To conclude, the question is - does your business need a website? Whilst we're biased (as a marketing and web development agency) our answer is usually yes. Websites are a great way to build trust with your target audience, they show that you're serious about your business and they give you the opportunity to be found online.
If you're still not sure whether or not your business needs a website, then get in touch with us and we can help you make an informed decision. Before you make contact with us, take a look at our 'About Us' page. We ALWAYS work to 3 core principles and will only ever advise a website is needed if it is actually needed.
